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Christmas at Edhellond: An Elf Academy Tale by Fiondil	11 Review(s)
Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 2/4/2013
The right clothes just turning up in the wardrobe would be my dream come true how to get clothes. Totally hate clothes shopping – all that trying on ... :( Glad Alex got the career he wants; that's probably going to help him to cope with everything that happened. A job you love is worth so much for your own contentment. Modern dances must be so strange for Elves. I always imagined their own dances more sedate and elegant, a bit formal maybe – but most definitely not anything even anywhere near what we have nowadays in the discos. Considering this, they did very well. Um ... Námo has all the Arctic Fringe CDs? Do CD players even work in Aman, with no electricity? Or do Valarin players not need that sort of power to work? All in all, it was a lovely ball, and I liked the impression Gloria's last song made on Finrod. Hopefully, it will help him a bit to find some estel, too. Author Reply: Hi Kitty. It must've been a real eye-opener for the Elves attending this Ball, which would be both familiar and unfamiliar to them. I think they managed themselves quite well, myself. grin If you're a Vala, I don't think you need to worry about such trifles as electricity or even needing a CD player. LOL! And of course we only assume there is no electricity in Aman. Who is to say there isn't? After all, the Elves were the first scientists (after the Valar). And hopefully that last song will help Finrod find some estel as well. We'll have to see. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it.

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/5/2013
This is such a beautiful chapter. It would have been interesting, seeing these Elves in tuxedos. The ball itself sounded beautiful. I loved the dancing. At the end, you tore my heart out with Finrod's despair. I hope estel will return. Author Reply: Hi Agape. This whole story, besides be a bridging story between Elf Academy 2 and 3 is about Finrod finding estel again. I'm glad you found the chapter beautiful. I would've liked to have seen the Elves in tuxedos, too. Thanks for leaving a comment. It's much appreciated.

UTfrog	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/23/2012
Wonderful chapter with a great message to us all. Loved that the younger elves had a great time at the dance. I think they have decided there are real benefits to our more relaxed customs. As always thanks for your writing. Author Reply: I'm glad you liked this chapter, UTfrog. Thanks for letting me know. I think the younger Elves will have an easier time adapting than the older ones, especially those who remember interacting with Mortals before and the formalities that were between them.

Lyana	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/23/2012
Lol at Finrod's assessment of modern fashion! My dad always referred to tuxes as "monkey suits" - he felt like an organ-grinder's monkey when forced to wear one. :-) I love the dance between the mortals and the Elves; they are finding their way - ever so gradually coming to understand and appreciate each other and both sides are reaching out - so good! The carol you chose for the ending fits so well; it's actually been the one that I've most thought of this season. Hope - that the Light WILL overcome... we all need that reminder from time to time. I love the way your writing doesn't just entertain, it draws me back to ponder timeless truths. Author Reply: Hi Lyana. Tuxexdos do look like monkey suits, don't they? I think that's a common response by a lot of men forced to wear them. You almost think you should be holding a little tin cup when you're not dancing. LOL! Anyway, I'm glad you liked the interaction between the Elves and Mortals and the carol at the end. When I first heard the rendition by Casting Crowns, I saw Gloria Richards singing it at the Christmas Ball and knew I had to incorporate it into the story. It just seemed to fit. And I like to make my readers think (or rethink) certain truths (or falsehoods) as well as entertain them with a good (hopefully) story. That is what Tolkien's writing does for me and I'm merely following his lead. Anyway, thank you for taking the time to leave a review. I greatly appreciate it.

Monalex	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/22/2012
Lovely chapter!!!! But the part I love most is Glorfindel so clearly in love with "Helen", I just have a question. In the story you explained that he couldn't end up with Alassiel most probably because of his destiny to return to Middle Earth, but whereas in ELF ACADEMY that point is well understood, you have said that this reality is not the real one and that Glorfindel did in fact return to Aman with Elladan and Elrohir sometime after Arwen died. So would he still fall in love with "Helen" or in that reality where he returned to Aman, would he find someone else??? Since I'm sure "Helen" wouldn't be born yet and they would learn to look at each other as family. Also is it just me, that I find it somewhat sad that he fell in love with an Alassiel look alike in this story??? Or does he truly love her for who she is and not for who she looks like??? Other than this I love that Glorfi at long last has someone to love and who loves him back... :) Author Reply: Hi Monalex. You raise some very pertinent and interesting questions. At the time that I wrote the first Elf Academy, I had always intended to write a continuation of the Elf, Interrupted series in which Glorfindel returns to Aman and has readjust to life there all over again and deal with a reborn Turgon. Whether Helyanwë would have been in that story and he would have fallen in love with her or not is something we will never know, for I have the feeling that I will never get to write that particular story. I am debating as to whether or not to assume that Elf Academy is NOT AU and just go with it and forget about the other story. Perhaps my readers can let me know how they feel about it. As for your concern about whether he's fallen in love with an Alassiel look-alike or if he's fallen in love with 'Helena' is something that I think will be addressed in Elf Academy 3 (whenever I get around to writing that), as it is a legitimate question that I think will be raised by Helena herself. After all, there needs to be a little conflict in any 'romance', doesn't there? grin Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for your comments. They're much appreciated.

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/22/2012
What a lovely chapter. It has the peace of Christmas written all over it. I loved the song at the end listening to it from Finrod's pov. Tuxedos must look ridiculous for Elves used to robes. And Namo is collecting CDs? Does he also have LPs? Author Reply: Hi obsidianj. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. I think Námo is only collecting CDs since the Arctic Fringe would only have cut CDs of their music. (LPs are much too early). And tuxedos would look ridiculous to Elves used to wearing flowing robes of state, which is what makes it even more funny to contemplate, especially when you remember that it was Vairë who supplied them with their formal wear. Thanks for taking the time to read and review. I really appreciate it.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/21/2012
Its definitely a different time now, Finrod! Alex cheekily asks Nell to dance, without a by-your-leave, and then Derek. I guess he wasn't too hampered by his left feet after all. I rather liked Nielluin's compliment to Finrod. It sounds as it she really wants to tell him he looks ridickilous, but is too polite for it. >;-) I do rather think Nielluin will like living in the modern day. :-D It was rather fun the way Jenna Michaelson sort of pounced on Finrod, but as she said, if the ladies were to wait for the men to find enough guts to ask, they'd have to wait for a looooong time. And Finrod's little anecdote certainly got the men to stop talking shop at what was supposed to be a party. Perhaps now they (and their wives) will be actually able to have fun at the ball! I see Namo and Vairë also popped in. I suppose Fëanor and his sons (and the other inhabitants of Mandos) were giving him a hard time, so that he felt he deserved this breather. It doesn't look as if I'll be reviewing this story as much as I have become used to. Cultural differences, I suppose - this comic illustrates it well: http://satwcomic.com/the-easy-way (I LOVE Humon - she has such an amusing way of looking at the world) Author Reply: Hi Sunny. Not sure what you mean by cultural differences, and what that has to do with this particular story, and the comic didn't help explain it (unless you're Norwegian), but if you feel uncomfortable about reviewing this story then don't. That's your privilege. I know the Elf Academy series isn't your favorite of my stories and I don't expect everyone to like what I write, even those who like my writing. That's unrealistic and arrogant. At any rate, review when and if you wish. That being said, I'm glad you at least enjoyed this chapter with Finrod and Námo. I'm sure you're right about Námo needing a breather from Mandos and I think Nell is finally settling in just fine. Thanks for the review and best wishes of the season however you celebrate it.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/21/2012
It sounds to be a beautifulevening. I hope Finrod feels more hopeful soon! And Namo has a CD player? Heh! Author Reply: I think it was a lovely evening for them all, Larner, and I think Finrod will slowly begin to feel hopeful again soon enough. And Námo is just full of surprises, isn't he? grin Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it.

Kaylee Arafinwiel	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/21/2012
Atto, Well, it seems the end of the world as we know it is a little further off than some people were speculating (not that I believed them anyway). Good, I want the rest of this story at least. grins I loved, loved LOVED the Christmas Ball. Especially as soon as I saw the title, and opened the song (I've caught onto the title pattern by now :) ) as well as the Quenya version. One of these days, Atto, you have to sing these versions you come up with. I'm sure we'd love them :) I know I would. I especially loved Finrod dancing, and Finrod telling off Dave and his friends for NOT dancing with their wives. Finrod is awesome. :D How are things for you as Christmas draws near? Joyous Mettare to you, Atto! Tye-melin, Kaylee Author Reply: A joyous Mettarë to you, too, Kaylee. I'm glad you loved the Ball and Finrod dancing. I'm sure his partners were thrilled to be dancing with him. Finrod is definitely awesome in too many ways to count. Things are well enough for me. I hope they are for you, as well. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Tye-melin.

Fantasia	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/21/2012
A Beautiful chapter, a lovely Ball. It has the spirit of Christmas all over. I got so sentimental in Christmas that it is frankly pathetic. My excuse is that we were denied Christmas when we were kids, we had to celebrate it almost clandestine in my Grandma's home and when you are a kid, it doesn't make any sense to have a celebration that you can talk about and then no presents (we really do the presents on January 6) Nonetheless, my grandma used to take us to a very tiny chapel close to her house for Midnight mass and we were not suppose to say anything to anyone and most of the time I fall sleep. Oh well, the fun of growing up in restricted societies. OK, I went out of track, so.... What happened to Alex's mother? they were trying to match her with Derek's father, if I remember. I remember too, that for a long time I thought that Alassiel and Glorfindel will end together, I think that I even told you in a review. It was a surprise to see Sandor and her together. I think that I understand the logic better now, since you explained very nicely in Finrod POV. Thank you. Author Reply: Hi Fantasia. It was indeed a lovely Ball. I'm glad you now can celebrate Christmas openly. Alex's mother arrives on the 23rd of December, and that is about a week away (storywise). She and Derek's dad have yet to meet and we will probably see that happen in this story, but whether they hit it off to the point where they are thinking of being together permanently... well, that remains to be seen. I'm glad you understand the logic as to why Alassiel ended up with Sador instead of Glorfindel. At least Glorfindel now has someone to love and that's the important thing, isn't it? Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it very much.

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